Classic Tomato Cheese Bacon Pasta
A satisfying blend of sweet, tangy tomato sauce and savory, smoky bacon, brought together with creamy melted cheese. This pasta is a perfect quick comfort meal.
Tomato Cheese Bacon Pasta is a beloved weeknight staple that balances vibrant acidity with rich, savory depth. The secret lies in emulsifying the sauce with cheese and bacon drippings, creating a velvety coating for every strand of pasta. It is a simple yet deeply satisfying dish that transforms everyday ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal.
Ingredients
- 200 g spaghetti
- 100 g bacon
- 100 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 slice processed yellow cheese
- 100 ml tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste fresh parsley
- to taste salt
Instructions
- 1Boil the pasta
Add the dried spaghetti noodles into a pot of boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Tip: Add a pinch of salt to the water to enhance the flavor of the pasta. - 2Add cherry tomatoes
Prepare the skillet by adding the halved cherry tomatoes. These will form the base of your sauce as they cook down.
Tip: Use a mix of different colored cherry tomatoes for a vibrant and appealing dish. - 3Add bacon
Place the bacon strips into the skillet alongside the cherry tomatoes. The bacon will provide a savory, smoky depth to the sauce.
Tip: Cut the bacon into smaller, bite-sized pieces before adding to the pan for even distribution. - 4Drizzle with olive oil
Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the cherry tomatoes and bacon in the pan to help them cook evenly and prevent sticking.
Tip: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. - 5Add tomato sauce
Squeeze tomato sauce into the pan over the cooking cherry tomatoes and bacon. This will create a rich and flavorful base.
Tip: Adjust the amount of sauce based on how much pasta you are preparing. - 6Adjust sauce consistency
Pour a small amount of water into the pan to thin out the sauce mixture to your desired consistency.
Tip: You can use pasta water instead of plain water for a better emulsified sauce. - 7Add the cheese
Place a slice of yellow cheese directly into the pan with the simmering tomato and bacon sauce. Allow the cheese to melt into the sauce, stirring gently to incorporate it until smooth and creamy.
Tip: Using a slice of processed cheese helps create a smooth, emulsified texture quickly, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes. - 8Add pasta to sauce
Add the boiled spaghetti directly into the pan with the simmering tomato, bacon, and cheese sauce. Toss well to ensure every strand of pasta is thoroughly coated in the rich, tangy sauce.
Tip: Keep a little pasta water aside; adding a splash can help the sauce cling better to the noodles if it gets too thick.
